We talk about everything from the 2026 Pokémon Day, Pokémon Presents, including the reveal of Pokémon Wind & Waves.

Also on the show, we give our impressions on both Resident Evil: Requiem, as well as Marathon, after jumping into the server slam.

SHOW DOT POINTS

• The Pokémon Presents event celebrated the 30th anniversary of the franchise.
• New game features and updates were announced, including Pokémon Home support.
• The 10th generation of Pokémon games is set to release in 2027.
• Visual performance is a major concern for upcoming Pokémon titles.
• The hosts hope for a more polished experience with the new games.
• Bluepoint's potential Bloodborne remake was a hot topic of discussion.
• The gaming community is eager for more announcements throughout the anniversary year.
• Voice acting in Pokémon games is a desired feature among fans.
• The hosts reflect on the impact of leaks on excitement for new games.
• The conversation highlights the balance between nostalgia and innovation in gaming. Bluepoint's potential projects are still under discussion.
• The God of War series is generating mixed reactions online.
• Xbox is facing significant challenges with its branding strategy.
• Resident Evil Requiem balances horror and action effectively.
• Marathon's gameplay mechanics are engaging but require teamwork.
• Overwatch's return has revitalised interest in the franchise.
• The UI in Marathon is a major point of frustration for players.
• Upcoming game releases in March include several highly anticipated titles.
• The hosts emphasise the importance of community in multiplayer games.
• Resident Evil Requiem is noted for its stunning visuals and sound design.

YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant

00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:30 - Pokemon Presents - Pokemon Day 2026 00:24:00 - Bluepoint Did Try & Remake Bloodborne 00:32:30 - First Look At God of War Series 00:37:30 - Ciaran's Thoughts On Xbox Change-Up 00:41:45 - Resident Evil Requiem Impressions 00:49:20 - Marathon - Servel Slam Impressions 00:57:45 - Games Coming Out In March 01:03:35 - Outro

• Pokémon Day 2026: All the Announcements From Pokémon Presents - Explosion Network
• Bluepoint’s Bloodborne Remake Pitch Was Reportedly Rejected - Explosion Network
• Prime Video Reveals First Image From God of War Series - Explosion Network
• Marvel's Wolverine Launches on September 15, 2026 - Explosion Network
• Video Game Releases Archives - Explosion Network

• 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
• 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
• 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
• 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

We discuss the huge shakeup with the Xbox leadership team and the closure of Bluepoint Games.

SHOW DOT POINTS

• Phil Spencer's retirement marks a significant shift for Xbox.
• Asha Sharma's appointment raises questions about Xbox's future direction.
• Xbox's current position is precarious, with many uncertainties.
• The gaming industry is shifting towards live service models.
• Sony's closure of Blue Point Games highlights industry volatility.
• Live service games are struggling to find a sustainable model.
• The focus on monetisation is affecting game quality.
• Leadership changes can lead to drastic shifts in company strategy.
• The gaming community is highly invested in company leadership.
• The future of Xbox as a console is uncertain. The video game industry is losing time to apps and social media.
• Studio closures often stem from financial decisions rather than creative ones.
• New studios struggle to deliver successful games without prior experience.
• The gaming industry faces a constant battle between artistic vision and technological constraints.
• Anticipation for Pokémon's 30th anniversary is high, with expectations for new content.
• Remakes and remasters are a cost-effective strategy for studios.
• The importance of collaboration and team chemistry in game development cannot be overstated.
• The narrative depth in games can provoke thoughts on real-world issues.
• Lighting and art direction play a crucial role in game aesthetics.
• Player engagement is shifting, necessitating new strategies for developers.

YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley

00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:10 - Xbox Leadership Change-up 00:20:45 - Sony Shuts Down Bluepoint Games 00:41:30 - Pokémon Presents Hopes 00:48:25 - God of War Sons of Spartan Wrap-Up Review 00:49:30 - Reanimal Review 00:56:30 - Outro

• Major Xbox Shake-Up: Asha Sharma Named CEO of Microsoft Gaming - Explosion Network
• Sony Shutters Bluepoint Games Just Years After Buying the Studio - Explosion Network
• Pokémon Presents Announced for February 28 – 30th Anniversary Celebration - Explosion Network
• Nintendo Bringing Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen to Switch - Explosion Network
• God of War Sons of Sparta Review - Explosion Network

• 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
• 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
• 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
• 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

We break down the first State of Play for 2026, which brought plenty of surprises and new game trailers.

SHOW DOT POINTS

• The PlayStation Showcase featured a variety of new game announcements.
• Wolverine was included in the showcase, albeit not in the expected format.
• Kenna: Bridge of Spirits sequel shows significant development.
• Ghost of Yotai Legends is set to return with multiplayer features.
• Death Stranding 2 is confirmed for PC release.
• Resident Evil Requiem continues to generate buzz with frequent trailers.
• Legacy of Cain is getting a remaster, sparking interest in the franchise.
• A new 2.5D Castlevania game is in development, appealing to long-time fans.
• Unique IPs like Project Windlass are being introduced, showcasing creativity.
• Konami's segment highlighted both remasters and new titles, indicating a focus on legacy franchises. The John Wick game aims to capture the essence of the franchise.
• Bungie's Marathon is set to test servers with a service slam.
• PlayStation Plus is adding notable titles like Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
• Saros gameplay trailer showcases significant improvements over Returnal.
• Marvel's Fighting Souls introduces new characters like Storm and Magic.
• God of War trilogy remakes are in early development for PS6.
• Sons of Sparta explores Kratos's early life and relationships.
• The game aims to offer a different perspective on Kratos.
• Voice acting in Sons of Sparta has received mixed reviews.
• The game's combat mechanics differ from those in traditional God of War games. Wrestle Quest's pixel art aims for an authentic 80s aesthetic.
• Highguard's layoffs reflect broader issues in the gaming industry.
• Video game success is crucial for team retention.
• Mario Tennis Fever offers smooth, engaging gameplay.
• Mugenics combines humour with tactical gameplay mechanics.
• The gaming industry often relies on the success of the next release.
• Highguard's development challenges raise questions about live service games.
• The structure of video game development can lead to instability for teams.
• Mario Tennis Fever's story mode serves as an extended tutorial.
• Mugenics has the potential for addictive gameplay and deep mechanics.

YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley

00:00:00 - Intro 00:50:00 - State of Play Breakdown 00:43:30 - God of War Sons of Sparta Review-In-Progress 00:55:50 - Highguard Developer Lay Offs 01:04:20 - Mario Tennis Fever Review-In-Progress 01:13:20 - Mewgenics Impressions 01:20:40 - Outro

• Every Announcement From February’s PlayStation State of Play - Explosion Network
• Highguard not shutting down following Wildlight layoffs, with a "core group" of developers left to support the game | Eurogamer.net

• 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
• 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
• 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
• 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network